BRUNEI began official implementation of the Motor Claims Guidelines (MCG) for motor vehicle accidents yesterday.

The guidelines were introduced to “speed up the clearing of accident scenes and expedite the settlement of insurance claims,” according to Acting Director of Land Transport, Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud yesterday.

It is normal to see – in the event of an accident in this country – motorists from both lanes slowing down their vehicles to check and have a look on who is/are involved in the accident, and this creates traffic jams, causing employees to arrive late for work,” Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal pointed out.

“On average it takes a maximum of 110 minutes to disperse an accident. This includes contacting the police, conducting of accident assessment by the police, waiting for the tow truck, and placing the vehicle on the tow truck.

“Accidents will not be covered under the MCG if they involve injuries or fatalities; hit and run; intoxicated drivers; damage to government property; pedestrians or cyclists; or royal family vehicles,” the acting director added.

Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal also stated that a number of involved agencies will hold information dissemination programmes nationwide to create awareness and understanding among the public on the implementation of the new guidelines.

This will include FAQs, distribution of brochures at Vehicle Inspection Centres, to car dealers, and so on.

The introduction of the MCG is also meant to reduce the number of traffic accident cases brought to the courts, thus increasing their capacity to handle other cases.

Statistics have shown that an average of 3,000 road traffic accidents occur in the Sultanate annually. From January to November last year, 16 deaths, 41 serious injuries and 398 minor injuries have been reported. Throughout January to December 2015, 36 deaths, 41 serious and 419 minor injuries were recorded.

Meanwhile, Haji Darryl bin Haji Maidin, Deputy General Manager cum Chief Corporate and Legal Compliance Officer of Takaful Brunei, said that the key aspect of introducing the MCG is to speed up claims not involving fatalities and other exclusions.

“One should know who your insurers are and who to call for advice. It is very common thing that motorists change their insurance from year to year [adding to confusion or complications during claims],” he added.

“Drivers involved in minor road traffic accidents only need to call their insurance agent’s accident hotline or accident reporting centre (ARC) to determine whether the accident falls under MCG or otherwise. At the same time, the driver should also call the police hotline to determine this.”

Once an accident has been determined to be falling under the MCG, each driver should then exchange particulars such as their names, identity card numbers, driving licence numbers, telephone numbers, address and insurance details. The vehicle numbers of both parties involved in the accident should also be noted down, and photos of the accident scene (capturing one’s own vehicle and the other damaged vehicle) should be taken.

If multiple collisions occur, photos of those directly involved in the accident should be taken.

The next step is for each driver to bring their accident-involved vehicle – whether damage or otherwise – to the nearest ARC within 24 hours or by the next working day, to submit the photo of the accident scene and Brunei Insurance Takaful Association (BITA) accident statement report.

If the accident happens to be a non-MCG case, the driver must lodge a police report and follow the normal road accident procedures.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.